Michael Lewis | Defensive Back

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Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo expects SS Michael Lewis to make his debut for the team this weekend.

The revenge factor is in order, as the Rams are playing the 49ers, Lewis' former team. Spags thinks Lewis has "got a lot of football left." He's still a capable run defender, but really struggles in coverage. He'll play behind Craig Dahl but will be worked into the mix with James Butler possibly out. Wed, Nov 10, 2010 01:05:00 PM

The 30-year-old was drafted by the Eagles when Steve Spagnuolo was the defensive backs coach in Philadelphia. Lewis struggles in coverage, but knows the system and has a history of playing the run well as a "box" safety. Wed, Oct 27, 2010 02:34:00 PM

The Rams had a cavalcade of free agent defensive backs running through Tuesday. Safety Gerald Alexander and corners Ralph Brown and Geoffrey Pope also worked out. The team is looking at available options with James Butler nursing an MCL sprain. Tue, Oct 26, 2010 05:32:00 PM

Rookie Taylor Mays will close out the year as San Francisco's starting strong safety, with Reggie Smith as No. 3, behind also FS Dashon Goldson. Lewis, 30, will appeal only to teams willing to use a coverage-deficient DB in the back end. The former Eagle was also missing a lot of tackles early on. Mon, Oct 4, 2010 06:56:00 PM

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The 30-year-old was drafted by the Eagles when Steve Spagnuolo was the defensive backs coach in Philadelphia. Lewis struggles in coverage, but knows the system and has a history of playing the run well as a "box" safety.

The Rams had a cavalcade of free agent defensive backs running through Tuesday. Safety Gerald Alexander and corners Ralph Brown and Geoffrey Pope also worked out. The team is looking at available options with James Butler nursing an MCL sprain.

Rookie Taylor Mays will close out the year as San Francisco's starting strong safety, with Reggie Smith as No. 3, behind also FS Dashon Goldson. Lewis, 30, will appeal only to teams willing to use a coverage-deficient DB in the back end. The former Eagle was also missing a lot of tackles early on.

The 49ers have reportedly decided to grant SS Michael Lewis his release, with the transaction scheduled for Tuesday.

Lewis requested the move after being benched for Taylor Mays prior to Week 4. Lewis has a limited skill set as purely an "in the box" safety. The 30-year-old would be a candidate for a minimum-salary deal in free agency.

The Niners haven't granted it yet, though it's probably coming soon. Lewis has been benched for struggling in run support, and San Francisco can go young at the position with rookie Taylor Mays and Reggie Smith. If cut, Lewis could appeal to a team like the Rams. St. Louis is weak at the strong safety spot, and coach Steve Spagnuolo had Lewis in Philadelphia.

On the heels of reports that Lewis would be benched for Reggie Smith (or perhaps rookie Taylor Mays), the veteran was held out of Friday's practice for "personal reasons." Lewis missed a number of tackles last week and has never been effective in coverage. His benching is likely permanent.

The 49ers are expected to bench SS Michael Lewis, according to NFL.com's Jason La Canfora.

The Niners drafted Taylor Mays as Lewis' eventual replacement, but it should be Reggie Smith that takes over for Lewis, at least initially. A nine-year veteran, Lewis agreed to take a paycut just before the season.

49ers SS Michael Lewis restructured his contract, taking a paycut and wiping out the final two years.

Lewis' 2010 salary drops from $4.1 million to $1.7 million plus $400,000 in bonus money. Lewis will hit free agency next year, but this was going to be his last season in San Francisco regardless. Taylor Mays was drafted as the long-term solution, and Reggie Smith is also emerging as a starting-caliber safety.

Beat writer Matt Barrows "guesses" that Michael Lewis will begin the season as the 49ers' starting strong safety before gradually giving way to rookie Taylor Mays.

With Lewis set to make $4.1 million this season, $5.7M in 2011 and $6.7M in 2012, we suspect Lewis might not have that long of a leash. The Niners just paid Patrick Willis, and need to pay Vernon Davis and Dashon Goldson. They'll be rooting for Mays to impress in training camp.

"You draft a guy like Taylor Mays at the spot we drafted him and you certainly want to get him on the field. But Michael Lewis is the starter," said Baalke. That may be the case for now, but Lewis' $4.1 million could be shed if Mays proves capable in training camp.

49ers beat writer Matt Maiocco suggests that SS Michael Lewis could be on the roster bubble this offseason.

Lewis is limited in that he is strictly an in-the-box safety, his $4.1 million salary for 2010 is fairly hefty, and he suffered three concussions in 2009. Still, the 49ers lack in-house alternatives and Lewis is annually among the team's leading tacklers. Look for the 30-year-old to stay in San Francisco.

49ers SS Michael Lewis (quadriceps) returned to a full practice on Tuesday and will play Thursday night against Chicago.

This is bad news for Matt Forte's already difficult matchup. Lewis, who the 49ers use as an "in the box," run-stopping safety, is averaging six tackles a game in his seven appearances. He's also forced and recovered one fumble.

The 49ers consider SS Michael Lewis "day to day" with his left quad strain.

Bears RB Matt Forte has not been breaking into opposing secondaries often of late, so Lewis' potential absence Thursday night wouldn't be a big upgrade for Forte's fantasy matchup. Mark Roman is Lewis' backup at strong safety.

Rams LT Rodger Saffold left Sunday's Week 12 game against the Saints with a hand injury and will not return.

He drew the start at left tackle in place of Greg Robinson, who was benched by coach Jeff Fisher. Saffold's X-rays came back negative but he'll get the rest of the day off. Andrew Donnal is now in at left tackle.